The winter indoor track season spotlighted a number of Whitehall athletes, hopefully setting the stage for a successful 2014 outdoor campaign.

With the indoor season now complete, the Zephs are just about ready to spring into action. That is, if the weather cooperates. The team began its first practice this week, and will now build on the work accomplished during the indoor season.

Head coach Jim Sebesta said that the team competed in four events, including The William H. Emery Christmas City Relays, East Stroudsburg Warrior Classic, Albright College High School Invitational #2, The Maroon and Gold Invitational and the Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association (PTFCA) Carnival.

Lehigh University's Philip Rauch Fieldhouse was the site of the PTFCA Carnival on Feb 15. It functions like a district meet, with a number of Zephyrs qualifying for the event which serves as a springboard to the state championships held in State College.

While no one got to the championships, Sebesta said that a number of his athletes shined at Lehigh.

Chief among those was J.C. Falcon who narrowly missed qualifying for states, winding up seventh in the high jump, clearing 6-2 to earn that spot. Sebesta said that 6-3 was the qualifying jump, and that Falcon clipped the bar with his heel, preventing him from clearing that height.

Still, Flacon had a superb winter season. He finished first at Albright with a 5-10 jump and was also tops at the Warrior Classic with the same mark. Additionally, he was fourth at Kutztown's Maroon and Gold Invitational, clearing 6-0.

Sebesta said that Falcon also did double duty, running the 800 meters at some of those events.

"He had a good year," said Sebesta.

Another Zeph who had a solid indoor season was Kyleem Harrison. He competed in the long jump, hurdles and 55-meter dash. At the Carnival, Harrison ran a 7.47 in the 60-meter dash, placing 20. He followed that with a 8.91 in the 60 meter hurdles, winding up in the 11th spot. He also finished 9th in the long jump with a 20-06.75 mark.

At the Warrior Classic he was second in the 55-meter hurdles (7.9), and was fourth in the long jump (20-2) and third in the triple jump (41-0).

Sebesta said that Harrison has been around the 20-0, 20-5 mark all season in the long jump. He's also someone who can make a splash in a number of events, helping the Zephs climb the points ladder.

"He's just been consistent all year," said Sebesta.

Gabe Lamm was another Zephyr with a good indoor season. He placed 25th in the mile at the Carnival (4:57.12), and was fourth at Albright in the, crossing the line in 5:00.54. He took third at Kutztown in the mile, recording his best time at 4:50.50.

The girls were also represented by a strong indoor season. Sprinter Decontee Krayee was 23rd in the 60-meter dash at the Carnival, finishing in 8.38. She was second at Albright in the 200, clocking a 29.07, and was 5th in the 55 at 8.13.

In the 800, Angela Stella posted a 2:37.89, good for 25th at the Carnival. She also was third in the mile at Albright (5:56.56), and was second at Kutztown in the 800, crossing the line in 2:34.90.

The Zephs also had strong performances from sprinter Arianie Pizarro and distance runners Hannah Gil, Samantha Schrader and Heather Busch.

For the boys, Calvin Schneck, Gavin Wood, Brian Plucinsky, David Labib, Shawn Jacobs, Isaiah Cary and Charles Mensah, turned in strong performances at the indoor events.

"Schneck had a really good indoor season," said Sebesta. "He really worked hard."

Sebesta said the Zephs had approximately 58 athletes available for the indoor season. He said that even with the bad weather this winter, he had a strong contingent who were eager to make their mark.

With some vets and a bunch of new faces, Sebesta said the indoor season was marked by quality leadership. He said that Flacon and Harrison are some of the best leaders he's had in years, athletes who just wanted to go out and compete.

Among those numbers were a lot of newcomers and Sebesta said that they'll work toward making the outdoor season just as successful.

"We have some good leaders and hard workers," he said.

Sebesta said he was also aided by a dedicated coaching staff, all of whom volunteered their time during the indoor season.

"I'm really spoiled by my coaches," he said.

Finally, their success indoors should lay the groundwork for another strong year outdoors.

"They're a good group of kids who want to be there," said Sebesta.